similar prothave been recently held in other cities around the country as workers urge the government to protect them. >>> phuket is an idyllic location in southern thailand has plans to lure a segment of the muslims who make up nearly 25% of the world's population. we have more. >> reporter: eight million travellers a year head to phu t phuket. ♪ >> reporter: one of phuket's annual tourism events shows what the island has to offer guests. visiting is the secretary gener general. he threw his weight behind the plan. >> if we want to cater for all sorts of clients and tourists, we need to be sensitive to their demands. >> more restaurants in phuket serve halal which means perishable. this restaurant said diners can eat in confidence with dishes that have no pork or alcohol. many tourists find the halal signs reassuring. >> i think it's the best place in phuket. a lot of the halal food and restaurant. a cute and nice place. >> reporter: a new type of islamic culture has also opened. -- islamic hotel has also opened. features prayer mats and signs pointing to -- it has copies of the ko